Examining the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relation between responsibilities and career aspiration of vice-principals

This article reports a study designed to examine the mediating effect of vice-principals’ job satisfaction on the relation between their responsibility roles and career aspirations. Based on a Hong Kong data set, the study confirmed that responsibilities had both a direct effect and an indirect effect on career aspiration; the latter was mediated by job satisfaction. When specific responsibility dimensions were being considered, the two dimensions of leader and teacher growth and development, and teaching, learning, and curriculum were found to have an effect on job satisfaction, which in turn, influenced career aspiration. The dimension of Resource Management did not link to job satisfaction, it was however a predictor for career aspiration. Implications of the findings were discussed.

► The study confirmed that responsibilities undertaken by vice-principals had a direct effect on their career aspirations.
► Responsibility roles also had an indirect effect on career aspiration which was mediated by job satisfaction.
► The influence of personal factors on vice-principals’ job satisfaction and career aspiration was supported.
► Only two out of the seven responsibilities undertaken by vice-principals were found to have an effect on job satisfaction.
► Resource management role did not link to job satisfaction; it was however a predictor for career aspiration.